Volume 1, Number 4 • Fall 2023
A Publication for Girl Scouts of Western New York Donors and Alums
In this issue: A message from your board president Meet some incredible volunteers Help a Daisy Blossom Welcome Innova Girls Academy And more...
“Scouting rises with you and inspires you to put forth your best.” —Juliette Gordon Low
From your Board President Our founder was a wise and intuitive leader. Her goal was to develop rich programs for girls that provided outdoor and life adventures. At the same time, she created a place for women of all ages to learn, to grow, and to lead. By doing this, a love for Girl Scouting and its ideals became part of every member’s core values. One skill, one task, one service project at a time, a Girl Scout is motivated and inspired to reach new heights and conquer more challenges. That’s part of what makes Girl Scouts a dynamic and exhilarating organization. Our girls demonstrate this every day. Our adult volunteers do this too, by giving their time to leading troops, managing service units, and serving on our board of directors. We’re inspired by our girls and that propels us to do more. Through this, we grow as well. This issue of Raising Change focuses on these incredible volunteers who guide girls along the Girl Scout journey. They bring their best to their respective roles and we’re grateful for their passion. I am proud to serve on our board as we strive to make decisions on behalf of our girls, our volunteers, and the staff team. Recently our board voted to maintain GSWNY’s “Future of Work” model which was developed in the latter days of the COVID pandemic. Our council staff works an aggressive four-day work week in a hybrid model that allows for flexibility and work-life balance. Like Juliette Gordon Low, we are trailblazing in ways that hold meaning for a 21st century workforce. Our interim CEO Javeena Edwards is leading this charge with a talented and engaged team. Our board is composed of community leaders and professionals who provide GSWNY with leadership and vital resources. These women and men believe in the value of Girl Scouting and its ability to develop the leaders of tomorrow. As a girl-led organization, our girls are also a critical part of our governance structure at the local and national levels (read all about our Girl Scout board members on page 4). I invite you to consider joining our board as we bring Girl Scouts into the future, please reach out to me for more information. Our Girl Scout membership is thriving and growing. In doing so, we continue to rise and put forth our best every day, just as our founder expected.
Lynn M. Lubecki, Ed.D. President, Board of Directors GS.CEO@gswny.org
Cover photo, top left: Thanks to Sheila L. Brown, Manager and Principal Owner of Vision Multi Media Group, LLC (right) for opening the doors of WUFO’s radio studio to GSWNY to host a few recruitment nights. GSWNY’s Michelle A. Martin, Director of Strategic Partnerships (left), was on hand to register girls for new troops in Buffalo.
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GSWNY had a strong representation at the National Conference last summer. From the left: Lynn Lubecki, Blair Farnsworth, Judy Penzotti, Patti Raab, Kelly Stahl, and Tayrin Tapia.
Cover photo, bottom left: Amy Miehl, Carol Homechenko, Linda Simpson, and friends gather around the campfire for songs at Camp Seven Hills. A Girl Scout tradition!
Cover photo, right: Innova Girls Academy students had a great fall day at Camp Piperwood. Read more about this unique school in Rochester on page 6.
Helping Hands at Horton Hill To paraphrase the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child,” it takes a village of volunteers to run a beloved day camp. That is Joanne “Jo” Nelson, director at Camp Horton Hill’s experience. She said, “Girl Scout volunteers have a passion for Girl Scouting, love what they're doing, and are willing to do whatever they can to help!” For volunteer-run Horton Hill, that means unit counselors often come in earlier than expected to look after campers who arrive ahead of the rest, donate craft supplies, take time away from other volunteer pursuits, and even to help handle finances. Whatever it takes to run this summer village for Girl Scouts, Jo has a team member who is ready to help, all for the love of Girl Scouts. There’s even a volunteer who loves to bake and often treats the staff with
homemade cupcakes and other surprises. Of course, every camp needs and values the volunteer with the largest vehicle who can help with the hauling. There’s a Horton Hill volunteer who has transported lumber, program supplies, and hefty containers of water to the Chautauqua County camp, and other volunteers are happy to help her empty her vehicle and put all manner of things in their rightful places. Jo is most proud to say, “Our volunteers are the best and work hard to make our girls and the Girl Scouting organization all that they can be! They are a blessing and can be counted among the many who routinely work at making our world a better place by simply saying, ‘Yes, I'd love to help!’”
Above left: Welcome to Pajama Day! Marlene Norlander (left), retired office manager from the Jamestown Service Center and our Art and Crafts Director, and Judi “Jingles” Edgerton, FOHH treasurer and all round volunteer for HH Day Camp. The campers painted milk jug bird feeders for a badge requirement. Above right: Horton Hill Staff, Camp Director Jo Nelson (center)
Sara Skinner (left), Daisy unit counselor and leader from the Greater Jamestown Service Unit. Drumming instructor, Rhonda Rasmussen (right), a music teacher in Falconer, who attended Timbercrest as a child with bestie Ro Woodard.
Dominique Tucciarone was among the dozens of volunteers who helped the GSWNY recruitment team at nearly 100 school open houses, parent nights, and registration nights this fall to encourage both girls and adults to register. We’re grateful to this team for sharing their time and enthusiasm for Girl Scouting throughout our nine-county service area.
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International Day of the Girl
Help a Daisy Blossom!
There were giggles, sighs, encouragements like “you can do this” and yelps of “that was so fun!” at Girl Scouts of WNY’s International Day of the Girl program.
Our Daisy Scouts - our youngest members - are just being introduced to the fun and friendship of Girl Scouting. Your support will help them start their Girl Scout adventure in a special way.
More than 200 girls and dozens of adult volunteers attended a full day of fun and sisterhood which included a fashion show featuring the latest Girl Scout apparel, activity stations that helped girls earn their Take Action badge and learn about global initiatives, and a service project where girls collected school supplies for Journey’s End Refugee Services. Modern Charm School, Challenge Island, Niagara University, and Theatre of Youth were sponsors. The heartwarming highlight of the day was the exhibit of Shero role models where girls celebrated their personal sheroes with original artwork, poetry, and display boards. Violinist Hilary Hahn, pop star Taylor Swift, anthropologist Jane Goodall inspired our girls along with moms, and grandmothers. This was a beautiful tribute to the women today’s girls hold in highest esteem.
The Daisy First Year Troop Kit includes all the supplies and programming that a troop needs for that critical inaugural year. Daisy Scouts start earning their petals (badges) right away by learning how to be fair and honest, friendly and helpful, and how to respect themselves and others. They will have their first Outdoor Challenge, and will participate as entrepreneurs during Cookie Season. It’s a whirlwind first year for sure, packed with valuable lessons and good times, too. GSWNY can provide these kits at no cost to troop leaders because partners like you believe in the power and passion of Girl Scouts. Your investment today will help the next generation of Girl Scouts have an outstanding first year. Scan the QR code to learn more.
Girls Have a Voice on GSWNY Board The Girl Scouts of Western New York Board of Directors is comprised of volunteers who share a life-long passion for the success of our council. These volunteers provide governance, help open doors to community engagement, and offer guidance to staff as needed. The board can also include a Senior or Ambassador Girl Scout, a unique opportunity for a girl to gain authentic leadership and governance experience. Long-time board member Patricia Makey Raab developed a mentoring element that gives the girls a safe space to ask questions and explore what board service means. “Girl Scouts is a youth-driven organization and it’s a real value to
have youth involved,” says Patti. “This really reinforces Girl Scouts’ mission and values.” The youth board member position was written into GSWNY’s bylaws to have at least one and as many as two girl directors. Youth board members serve a one year term of service. In that time, she will learn the fundamentals of parliamentary procedure, attend board meetings, and will participate on a board committee. She’ll also be expected to participate in key council events and participate in fundraising. During her year, she’ll also meet with a designated board mentor to discuss best practices for board members and the importance of governance. The first youth board member was Arianna McKnight and it was her service that sparked Patti’s thinking about the value of this opportunity for the girl. “I kept thinking, what is the girl gaining? Is she learning something?,” Patti said. When the next youth member was selected, Grace Tabone, the board had implemented the mentoring element. Grace was enthusiastic about her year of youth service. She said, “Serving on the Board of Directors as a youth member has been one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences I've had as a Girl Scout. Being on the Board has given me an understanding of how Girl Scouts and non-profits as a whole are run that I would not have gotten anywhere else. I am able to watch and participate in important decision-making like approving the appointment of Javeena Edwards as the Interim CEO and approving Council Support for National Council Proposals.”
Above: Grace Tabone also served as one of the presenters at the 2023 Gold Award ceremony. Below: Board Member Grace (far right) with our 2023 Women of Distinction and their Girl Scout presenters.
When her year of youth service was up, Grace accepted a position to continue serving on the board. She’s currently a student at Canisius University majoring in biology and minors in business and neuroscience. “I would strongly recommend any Ambassador Girl Scout to consider applying for the youth position to put the L in G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader),” said Grace.
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Once a Camper, Forever a Camper Buffalo Bills fans are used to other Bills fans noticing their fan garb wherever they go, even half-way around the world. But did you know that Seven Hills gear can capture that attention, too? Friends of Seven Hills member Susan “Feather” Grieser was sitting in a restaurant in Chamonix, France, when another traveler who called Hamburg, NY home first noticed her Buffalo Bills hat and then noticed her Seven Hills sweatshirt with an enthusiastic, “I went there, too!” Ironically, Feather was relaxing after using some of her Seven Hills skills: she had just hiked down Mont Blanc. “I had taken the cable car up the mountain,” she said, “but decided I could hike down. It’s actually harder on your toes and quads to hike down,” she laughed.
Feather’s mother, Jayne Bodenbender, circa 1942 when she was named Miss Seven Hills
Camping and learning about nature hold special meaning for Feather, and so does being at Seven Hills and helping preserve the legacy as much as she can. Her traditional skills - like splitting logs and lashing - serve her volunteer hours in good stead. “Friends have started helping out, fixing things, and painting,” she said. Seven Hills has a special place in Feather’s heart: “It’s the people and the familiarity—it’s where me and my friends grew up. It’s where I learned how to deal with people and be patient with people. It’s one of the places that just doesn’t leave you.”
Susan “Feather” Grieser
“It’s the people and the familiarity…” Feather is very used to hiking over those miles of trails around Seven Hills. “I started going to camp in 1968,” she said. It was a few years into her Girl Scout experience, having joined as a Brownie. Like many Girl Scouts, her mom was her troop leader. Her mom was also a Girl Scout and a Seven Hills camper. Feather’s commitment to Seven Hills stayed with her as she grew into roles as a CIT and then a staff member which continued through her college years. She started her teaching career in Kentucky (“I tried to start a Girl Scout troop there,” she said) and returned home to Western New York, where she went on to teach science at Holland High School for 35 years. She raised her family (two boys) and picked up her Seven Hills experience as a volunteer when she retired in 2015. “I was one of the first camp volunteers in my 60s,” she said proudly. This is where she got her camp name which she picked since she’s also a birder. Today she runs the nature center at camp, a perfect gig for a former science teacher, and she’s there every day of camp. She helps campers look for bugs and identify trees, and make crafts from pinecones and other things found in nature. Campers also love her Lost Unit Hike, when they hike on the older trails and talk about the history at Seven Hills.
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Save the date! Mark your calendar to be part of Girl Scout history On Saturday, April 20, 2024, we will dedicate The Girl Scouts of WNY Girl Scout History Museum Camp Windy Meadows 5000 Cambria Rd Lockport, NY 14094
Details to come • www.gswny.org Volunteers welcome; please join our committee. Contact customercare@gswny.org
Piperwood Welcomes Innova Girls Academy
Relax, Reset, Re-engage at The Great Escape
Students from Innova Girls Academy, the first Girl Scout Academy in New York State, visited Camp Piperwood for a special day of Girl Scout fun! A highlight of the day for these kindergarten, first, and second grade students was learning the Girl Scout Promise and Law and receiving their Daisy vests and Brownie sashes.
The Great Escape is an annual volunteer-run weekend at Seven Hills for leaders and volunteers to get together. They learn new skills, trade ideas, find new crafts to bring back to their girls, and in the words of volunteer Bree Kramer, “spend a weekend being renewed in the spirit of Girl Scouting.”
“It was wonderful to have Innova Girls Academy out to Camp Piperwood. The vision for the school came to life when we saw the girls excitement for Girl Scouts and nature!” —Melanie Bloodworth, Senior Director of Girl Experience
Volunteers Theresa Hensel, Sue Wagner, Eileen Klipfel, Janet Kosloski, and Cathy Conner play a round of cards at The Great Escape.
Camp is For Every Girl Camp is about the experience, the laughter, learning new skills, sharing trail mix, and sipping hot chocolate around the campfire. Our goal is to give as many girls as possible the opportunity to attend camp next summer. You can help with your gift to the Campership Fund.
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4433 Genesee St. Suite 101 Buffalo, NY 14225
Raising Change is published quarterly by the Girl Scouts of Western New York. Cherie Messore, Executive Vice President of Marketing Communications, Editor Photographs by Eileen Koteras Elibol, Cherie Messore, Khushboo Salian, and supplied photos.
United Way funding supports our entire council.
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